Syrian Democratic Forces withdraw from east of Aleppo

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have withdrawn from positions east of Aleppo, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said on Friday.

Abdi announced that SDF forces would pull out of eastern Aleppo at 7 a.m. local time on Saturday and redeploy to areas east of the Euphrates, citing appeals from friendly countries and mediators to de-escalate tensions.

Hours before the announcement, a US military delegation visited Deir Hafer and met with SDF officials in what appeared to be an effort to calm the situation. The United States maintains relations with both sides and has urged restraint. A US military spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Shortly before Abdi’s statement, interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced the issuance of a decree aimed at strengthening Kurdish rights.

Displacement ahead of clashes

Earlier on Friday, hundreds of civilians carrying their belongings fled toward government-held areas in northern Syria amid fears of an impending Syrian army offensive against SDF-held territory.

Many displaced people used side roads to reach government-controlled areas after the main highway was blocked at an SDF checkpoint in Deir Hafer. The Syrian army said it had opened a “humanitarian corridor” to allow civilians to evacuate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and later extended the window by another day, accusing the SDF of preventing civilians from leaving.

There had been limited exchanges of fire between the two sides in the area prior to the evacuations.

Men, women and children arrived in cars and pickup trucks loaded with clothes, mattresses and other belongings, where local officials directed them to temporary shelters.